Thunder rolls… and wins Nike Tournament bracket

Arizona high schools got off to a slow start but did well on the final
day of the Nike Tournament of Champions, held again this year in
Chandler. But it was Desert Vista HS that wrapped up the only
championship as the four-day showcase of girls basketball wrapped up
yesterday.

The Thunder (team photo) won its bracket of the prestigious
tourney with a 65-55 victory over Campolindo HS of California, capping
an undefeated run through the event, which came to the Valley in 2001.
The event draws many of the top teams from all over the country and has
showcased 10 of the past 12 USA Today national champions.

Austen Harris, a senior guard for Desert Vista, had a game-high 27 points in the championship
game and was also named Most Valuable Player in the Blue Bracket.

There were four game that matched up Valley teams on the final day
of the tournament. Seton Catholic HS defeated McClintock HS, 61-30;
Gilbert HS downed Pinnacle HS, 65-61; Red Mountain HS won over Basha
HS, 39-36; and it was Williams Field HS over Horizon HS, 57-52.